Brotherly Game - Philadelphia Union vs. Sporting Kansas City: The Whole Story - Match 5The beautiful game with a Philadelphia attitudehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48005/brotherlygame-fave.png2015-04-05T23:10:58-04:00http://www.brotherlygame.com/rss/stream/81027702015-04-05T23:10:58-04:002015-04-05T23:10:58-04:00RECAP: Sporting KC 3-2 Union
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<figcaption>Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A new low has been reached.</p> <p>Every time the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> seem like they've reached rock bottom, they discover a previously unknown new low. Every time it seems like the Union will stagnate as simply bad, they conjure up a moment of unmagic that leaves fans in awe of the awfulness. That's what happened tonight when the Union carried a 2-1 lead into 2nd half stoppage time, and lost the match 3-2.</p>
<p>Things started out all right for the Union. They earned a quick corner kick taken by <span>Sebastien Le Toux</span> which resulted in a goal when Luis Marin missed the ball completely, leading it to deflect off <span>Jacob Peterson</span> and into the net. It was yet another own goal in the Union's favor, but given the Union's lack of ability to put the ball in the net on their own, they weren't about to complain. It was all clownshoes for the SKC, and the Union were ahead.</p>
<p>The clownshoes would soon enough be on the other foot 13 minutes later. <span>Benny Feilhaber</span> took a corner kick of his own that found <span>Dom Dwyer</span> alone for the easy header made easier by Rais M'Bolhi coming out of his net for the ball and missing wildly. M'Bolhi proceeded to bury his head in his hands and fake an injury, because there really is no other recourse after looking that bad on national television. 16 minutes in, and the match was level at one.</p>
<p>Then three minutes later all the jokes about all the goalkeeping mistakes would subside. Le Toux's free kick into the box was headed in absolutely brilliantly by Fernando Aristeguieta. The power Aristeguieta got behind the header was nothing short of awe-inspiring. A lot of negative words will be written about the Union later in this recap and later this week, but none of them should have anything to do with Aristeguieta. He has had himself a fine season and this goal was marvelous, only mired by the fact FS1 color commentator Alexi Lalas decided to use the term "set piece orgy" shortly thereafter to describe the first 19 minutes of the match. Either Lalas does not know what an orgy is, or he lives a kinky personal life.</p>
<p>If the first 19 minutes were a "set piece orgy," the following 71 minutes were a goal disallowed orgy. It started with Sporting having a goal ruled back because Dom Dwyer was offside. Then in the second half, Aristeguieta had a goal disallowed because the assistant's referee flag went up.* Dom Dwyer appeared as if he had scored again a few minutes later, but the officials correctly ruled that Ray Gaddis cannot be used as a stepping stone prior to scoring a goal. Dwyer violated that rule, and SKC were punished appropriately by having the ensuing goal not count.</p>
<p><i>*Get your head out of the gutter, Alexi!</i></p>
<p>The Union were able to miraculously recover from an 84th minute scramble that came as a result of M'Bolhi missing the ball. It seemed that they might be able to pull the upset, then had a golden opportunity to put it away. Aristeguieta had stripped Roger Espinoza of the ball resulting in Nando getting a complete breakaway on goal. Espinoza succeeded in catching up to Aristeguieta and tackling him outside of the ball, leading the ball to find the foot of Le Toux. That set up Le Toux being 1-on-1 with Luis Marin, and Le Toux's shot got past Marin but hit the woodwork and bounced out to an alone Michael Lahoud. With the game at his foot and a gaping net facing him, Lahoud launched the ball into orbit instead. It was a heart-breaking moment for the Union, and one that would come back to bite them soon enough.</p>
<p>The unraveling began in stoppage time with a set piece. The Union have struggled in defending set pieces all season long and it would bite them in the ass again when a Sporting free kick found Aristeguieta in the box who headed outside of the box only for it to land at the feet of Espinoza. Espinoza sent it into the box where an unmarked <span>Jalil Anibaba</span> got a head on it and sent it slowly past a flailing M'Bolhi and into the net for the equalizer.</p>
<p>With there being six minutes of stoppage time total, a goal within the first minute of stoppage time meant there was plenty of time for a winner. And indeed, the winner was snatched by Sporting in the fourth minute of stoppage time. And again, it came from a set piece. Feilhaber swung a corner kick into the box that <span>Matt Besler</span> flicked to Krisztian Nemeth who put the ball into the back of the net for the shock SKC winner, and embarrassing Union loser. The Union would not threaten in the final couple minutes of stoppage time, and the Union disgrace was complete.</p>
<p>It takes disasters like tonight's game to call attention to problems that have always been there. Tonight's game taught us nothing new about the team. Rais M'Bolhi made mistakes? Been there done that. The Union lack depth? That's been a problem for years. The Union don't have space to add depth because they mis-allocated funds to M'Bolhi last season? No funds were re-allocated in any direction tonight, except for maybe some fans deciding not to spend money on this clusterfuck next Saturday. Jim Curtin is in over his head? His lack of managerial resume before being appointed interim-turned-permanent Union manager was always a red flag.</p>
<p>But these problems that have always been bubbling beneath the surface of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-golf" class="sbn-auto-link">U.S. Open</a> Cup runs and "well they got close to the playoffs at least" have risen from beneath and penetrated through. The Union are a poorly run franchise with a manager who is not good enough and roster that, few exceptions aside, is unacceptable. The Union need to rebuild. And it must start with rebuilding the very top of the organization.</p>
<p>The Union's next two games will come against a team starting <span>David Villa</span>, and isn't that just the best?</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/4/5/8350857/sporting-kansas-city-philadelphia-union-box-score-recap-rais-mbolhiJustin F.2015-04-05T19:07:41-04:002015-04-05T19:07:41-04:00HOW TO WATCH/GAME THREAD: Sporting KC vs. Union
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<figcaption>Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Will this be the Union's first win of the season?</p> <table cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center">
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">UNION GAME #5</th>
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<th width="20" align="center">VS</th>
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<td bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><b>Sporting Park, Kansas City, KS</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>April 5, 2015</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>7:00</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>FS1 - John Strong and Alexi Lalas, Reporter: Julia Stewart-Banks</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3"><a href="http://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/4/3/8273643/matchpreview-philadelphia-union-at-sporting-kansas-city" target="_blank">TBG Game Preview</a></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">
<b>Know Thy Enemy: </b><a href="http://www.thebluetestament.com/" target="_blank">The Blue Testament</a>
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">Starting XI</th>
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<td width="240" align="right">Jacob Peterson, Dominic Dwyer, Jimmy Medranda</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Forward</th>
<td width="240">Fernando Aristeguieta</td>
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<td width="240" align="right">Roger Espinoza, Servando, Carrasco, Benny Feilhaber</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Midfield</th>
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<p>Sebastien Le Toux, Eric Ayuk Mbu, Andrew Wenger</p>
<p>Michael Lahoud, Brian Carroll</p>
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<td width="240" align="right">Marcel de Jong, Matt Besler, Ike Opara, Jalil Anibaba</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Defense</th>
<td width="240">Fabinho, Steven Vitoria, Maurice Edu, Ray Gaddis</td>
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<td width="240" align="right">Luis Marin</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Goalkeeper</th>
<td width="240">Rais M'Bolhi</td>
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<td width="240" align="right">Tim Melia, Seth Sinovic, Kevin Ellis, Paulo Nagamura, Soni Mustivar, Bernardo Anor, Krisztian Nemeth</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Bench</th>
<td width="240">John McCarthy, Raymond Lee, Vincent Nogueira, Jimmy McLaughlin, C.J. Sapong, Antoine Hoppenot, Ethan White</td>
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">Numbers of Note</th>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">7 - number of points the Union earned in matches against Sporting Kansas City last season</td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">-1 - Sporting Kansas City's goal difference through four games of 2015.</td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">3 - number of winless teams in MLS</td>
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">Game Officials</th>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">Referee: Ismail Elfath</td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">Assistant: Adam Garner</td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">Assistant: Kevin Klinger</td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">Fourth: Younes Marrakchi</td>
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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/4/5/8348575/how-to-watch-sporting-kansas-city-philadelphia-union-tv-streamingJustin F.2015-04-03T09:00:02-04:002015-04-03T09:00:02-04:00Opposite View: 3 Questions with The Blue Testament
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<figcaption>Capos or the pep squad? | Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This week we talk with Ben Gartland of The Blue Testament, SB Nation's Sporting Kansas City blog, about the upcoming match between SKC and the Philadelphia Union.</p> <p><b>tBG) <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a> saw quite a few moves during the offseason, both incoming and outgoing. Overall, is this a better club than the 2014 version? What did the moves add to the club?</b></p>
<p><b>tBT)</b> It really depends on when in 2014 you look at the roster. The big piece that has still not been replaced is Uri Rosell as a defensive midfielder. If we’re talking about the end of 2014 then this club is definitely better. Luis Marin is an improvement in goal over <span>Eric Kronberg</span>/<span>Andy Gruenebaum</span>, <span>Jalil Anibaba</span> is a decent piece of squad depth, Roger Espinoza is an upgrade in the midfield and the returning <span>Ike Opara</span> has been <span>Aurelien Collin</span> level both offensively and defensively. The left wing still has a hole with inconsistent play and instead of having a hole at defensive midfielder, it’s now at attacking midfielder with <span>Benny Feilhaber</span> slotted back. I would say that the team is overall better than the end of 2014, but I’m not sure if it’s better than the beginning of 2014. There’s a lot of turnover and still some holes that need to be plugged.</p>
<p><b>tBG) How are things in the Western Conference? What effect do you think this will have on SKC from a competition standpoint, also factoring in travel?</b></p>
<p><b>tBT)</b> I don’t see too much of a difference so far except that I have to scroll down further when I go to the MLS standings page. Where I do think I’ll start seeing it is towards the end of the season with the level of strong teams towards the top of the conference such as Los Angeles, Seattle, <a href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">FC Dallas</a> and <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Salt Lake</a> all battling it out with us for the top of the conference. Travel-wise, Sporting KC is in a similar boat either way considering their position in the middle of the country. Instead of going to the east coast with a couple stops in the middle and Texas, they’re going west with a couple stops in the middle and Texas. From a competition standpoint the West, I do believe, has an edge over the East so the competition will likely be harder over each game but I also think that’s indicative of MLS getting better as a whole. Taking out <a href="https://delete.sbnprivate.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chivas USA</a> and adding two teams in the East that have been decent so far balances it out a bit. We’ll see more as the season goes on.</p>
<p><b>tBG) Have <span>Matt Besler</span> and <span>Graham Zusi</span> been able to live up to the hype of being the MLS face of the USMNT during the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a>?</b></p>
<p><b>tBT)</b> Unfortunately not. After the two returned from the World Cup they were both exhausted and it came out that both of them were battling injuries of some kind, Besler with his hamstring and Zusi with his stress fracture in his foot. Zuni really hasn’t found his form since he’s still recovering from injury, although he has still been fairly good. Besler looks almost back to normal and, so far in 2015, has been the solid defensive anchor he normally is outside of an uncharacteristic two yellow cards in the same game. It’s sad that they really haven’t been able to capitalize on the momentum of their performances at the World Cup but I do think they’ll get better as the year goes on, hopefully turning in decent performances at the Gold Cup and performing well for their club as well.</p>
<p><b>Projected lineup: </b>Luis Marin; Marcel de Jong, Matt Besler, Ike Opara, Jalil Anibaba; Benny Feilhaber, Roger Espinoza, <span>Paulo Nagamura</span>; <span>Bernardo Anor</span>, <span>Dom Dwyer</span>, <span>Jimmy Medranda</span></p>
<p><b>Projected score: </b>1-1</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/4/3/8338529/opposite-view-three-questions-with-ben-gartland-of-the-blue-testamentEugene Rupinski2015-04-03T06:00:02-04:002015-04-03T06:00:02-04:00Philadelphia take the Yellow brick road to Kansas
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<img alt="Danny Cruz was on the field the last time Philadelphia visited Kansas." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t915bbSodn-GYKvorGiZsT3_Yuo=/0x6:2450x1639/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46037422/usa-today-8009541.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Danny Cruz was on the field the last time Philadelphia visited Kansas. | Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Up next for Philadelphia Union is an Easter Sunday walk along the yellow brick road as they take on Sporting Kansas City where they have historically done well. How is the game going to play out? Here's my preview and some predictions.</p> <p><b>The what: <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> vs <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a></b></p>
<p><b>The where: Sporting Park, Kansas City KS.</b></p>
<p><b>The when: Sunday April 5th at 7pm (Live on Fox Sports 1).</b></p>
<p><b>The history:</b></p>
<p>Unless you have had your head buried in the sand you will know what a tough start to the season it has been for the Philadelphia Union. A lackluster draw at home to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a>, an enthralling if poorly played game at Rio Tinto followed by frustrating back to back losses that has seen the team rack up red cards instead of scoring goals. Looking at the schedule a trip to a place like Sporting Park to take on Sporting KC isn't exactly what you would want to see. However, maybe it is exactly what the Union need to kickstart their season.</p>
<p>In terms of the overall head to head record, Philadelphia have won 4, drawn 4 and lost 4 in the league added to a loss in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-tennis">US Open</a> cup semi final. That is against a team that has won the MLS cup and been consistently in the playoffs in recent years which is a pretty good record for a Philadelphia team that has struggled. Even more surprising is that the Union have not lost an away game in Kansas for the past 2 seasons (2 wins and a draw). For some reason they are able to go there and grind out results, probably by mostly hitting on the counter attack. Who can forget this fantastic <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-05-14-SKC-v-PHI/highlights/254940" target="_blank">Danny Cruz moment</a> from last season when after Cruz scored the whole team went to celebrate with under pressure coach <span>John Hackworth</span>.</p>
<p><b>The team News:</b></p>
<p>As for this time around, after a somewhat slow start, Sporting are starting to pick up the pace in their new division, and recently beat newcomers <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/">New York City FC</a> to record their first win of the season. They will be hoping to add to the misery of the Union faithful by starting a win streak to take them into playoff spots. There was some good news for the Union with the hamstring injury to <span>Graham Zusi</span>, a player who often gives the team fits.</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Zusi did not train today. He will be out this weekend.</p>
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) <a href="https://twitter.com/SamMcDowell11/status/582947145004630016">March 31, 2015</a>
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<p>Also missing from the game for SKC is long term injury sufferer <span>Chance Myers</span> (Achilles rupture) and forward Krisztian Nemeth.</p>
<p>Philadelphia also have their injury woes, with <span>Cristian Maidana</span> and <span>Sheanon Williams</span> both at least a week away from returning and the unlikely scenario of <span>CJ Sapong</span> being healthy to face his former team with his concussion issues. When you add in the suspensions of <span>Zach Pfeffer</span> and Fred, it's going to be a thinly spread 18 for Philadelphia. I would guess the lineup will be the same that started against Chicago (Rais M'Bolhi, <span>Raymon Gaddis</span>, <span>Ethan White</span>, Steven Vitoria, Fabinho; <span>Maurice Edu</span>, <span>Michael Lahoud</span>, <span>Vincent Nogueira</span>; <span>Sebastien Le Toux</span>, <span>Andrew Wenger</span>; Fernando Arsitegueita). Going to Kansas City is a difficult trip and Jim Curtin should look to go with experience instead of blooding the youngsters in this one. There are some games against New York City FC in quick succession to give some players a rest and let others stake their claim for a permanent starting spot.</p>
<p><b>My keys to the game:</b></p>
<p>Instead of key matchups, there are some things the Union are going to need to do to get something from this game Most important are :-</p>
<p><b>1) Mark Ike Opara on set plays. </b></p>
<p>Opara has scored 66.7% of his teams goals this year. The Union have been very generous giving simple chances from set piece plays and it has cost them. They need to figure this out before Sunday, or Opara may be giving his fantasy team managers plenty of points.</p>
<p><b>2) Sebastien Le Toux needs to wake up.</b></p>
<p>In recent interviews it has been mentioned how tough Sebastien is taking his poor start to the season. Lets hope that he can get going on Sunday. There should be a lot of space to run into if the Union play counter attacking soccer. If Seba can get back on track and in form, not only will it be a lift for Sunday but for the rest of the season.</p>
<p><b>3) Stop Benny Feilhaber. </b></p>
<p>Benny is a player Union fans love to hate. With no Zusi, it may fall on the shoulders of Feilhaber to create the chances that he will hope <span>Dom Dwyer</span> will score from. If Philadelphia go out with both Lahoud and Maurice Edu on the field then there will hopefully be enough talent to stop the supply.</p>
<p>Another common theme to the Philadelphia Union season so far has been the man in the middle. This time, it is Ismail Elfath. So far, Elfath has not shown a red card in his 2 games. With the Union having been involved in games with three red cards so far, lets hope that it is the lack of red cards that continues. If there is a red card shown, let it be for the home team.</p>
<p><b>My Prediction:</b></p>
<p>Unfortunately I can't see the Union getting anything from this game unless they can hold out for a 0-0 draw. My prediction is another loss, 2-0 to Sporting (and hopefully I have just jinxed it)</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/4/3/8273643/matchpreview-philadelphia-union-at-sporting-kansas-citybluetooner2015-04-02T10:00:03-04:002015-04-02T10:00:03-04:00I hate Sporting Kansas City
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<figcaption>Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>"Hate" is such a strong word. Sometimes though, it's not strong enough.</p> <p dir="ltr">I hate.</p>
<p><i>Hate</i>.</p>
<p><b>HATE!</b></p>
<p>I HATE SPORTING KANSAS CITY</p>
<p>There is no team in Major League Soccer I hate more than <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a>.</p>
<p>I have no respect for them.</p>
<p>I have no respect for their fans. I hate their fans who did not show up to see the Wiz at Arrowhead Stadium. Their fans who did not show up to see the Wizards at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. But when the team changed their name to Sporting and opened Sporting Park those fans all of sudden went "Oh we have a soccer team? I didn't know that. Let me jump on the band wagon and act like I was a fan the whole time." Bandwagon fans who like to claim that Kansas City is the "Soccer Capitol of America." Bandwagon fans who like to yell "Welcome to Blue Hell!!" Wait till their team sinks in the West this year. Wonder how full will the bandwagon will be.</p>
<p>I hate their organization. I hate that they call themselves the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/21/sporting-kansas-city-declare-themselves-greatest-team-in-mls-are-they/">"Greatest team in MLS,"</a> What have you done? Yes, in the five years since the rebrand SKC has won the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-tennis" class="sbn-auto-link">US Open</a> Cup and MLS Cup as well as competed in Concacaf Champions League. But "Greatest Team in MLS" means overall. In their 20 years, their trophy case doesn't match <a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United's</a> 13 overall trophies. Their trophy case does not match the 5 MLS Cups that the <a href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">LA Galaxy</a> have.</p>
<p>I hate their owner. I hate Robb Heineman. I hate that he's arrogant. I hate that he's so full of himself. I hate that his twitter is full of him acting like a punk fratboy. I hate him constantly starting fights with Timbers owner Merritt Paulson. I hate him for his now <a target="_blank" href="http://reprints.longform.org/howler-miami-marcelo-claure">famous quote from </a><a href="http://reprints.longform.org/howler-miami-marcelo-claure" target="_blank">Howler Magazine</a>, "If labor ever tells us they're going to strike, we'd be like, ‘Fine, we'll replace each and every one of you.'" I hate that he and the rest of SKC got pissed off over being called out on it.</p>
<p>I hate their players. I hate that their playing style is smash mouth soccer. Beat up on players and then complain and roll on the ground when they don't get a call to go their way. I hate that they tried to find every excuse in the book to explain why they failed in the playoffs last year. Nothing made me happier than to see this on the SB Nation soccer page the next day:</p>
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<img alt="SKC Eliminated" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ulXb2KBDCywMc7_tOlAjjMse5Og=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3561190/11106393_10100358080915014_1006545312_n.0.jpg">
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<p>I hate that... I hate that... sigh,</p>
<p>I hate that they're not the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a>.</p>
<p>I hate that their ownership group puts money into their team in order to make it better. I hate that their stadium is considered the one of the crown jewels of American soccer. I hate that they have some the best players in the league. I hate that <span>Dom Dwyer</span>, <span>Graham Zusi</span>, and <span>Matt Besler</span> are players the Union desperately need. I hate that their coach <span>Peter Vermes</span> grew up a town over from me and is considered the best soccer player ever to come out of Burlington County.</p>
<p>I hate that while the Union has only lost at Sporting Park once, they have a terrible record against Sporting at PPL Park. I'll never forget that heartbreaker at the US Open Cup semifinal in 2012. I hate that their fans (probably) don't have to go on social media and see fans turning on each other after a poor performance.</p>
<p>But I still hate them. I hate them. I.. I.. (opens window) CAREFREE WHEREVER I MAY BE! I @#*$&! HATE S-K-C!!!</p>
<p><i>Editors Note: It was erroneously stated that the Union had never lost to Sporting Kansas City. They indeed suffered a 2-1 defeat in 2012. Thanks to Twitter user @downthebyline for pointing it out. </i></p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/4/2/8322971/i-hate-sporting-kansas-cityransomr202